Oh Comely
Jeff Mangum Lyrics

Oh comely
The beginning of the song, used to catch the attention of the listener.

I will be with you when you lose your breath
I will be there for you when you need me most.

Chasing the only meaningful memory you thought you had left
Desperately trying to hold onto the only good memory you have left.

With some pretty bright and bubbly terrible scene
That last happy memory was just a facade.

That was doing her thing on your chest
That memory was just a momentary high.

But oh comely
Reiteration of the opening line, refocusing the listener's attention.

It isn't as pretty as you'd like to guess
That memory wasn't as perfect as you want to believe.

In your memory, you're drunk on your autonomy
That good memory made you feel like you had control over your life.

It doesn't mean anything at all
In reality, that memory was meaningless.

All of your friends are all letting you blow
Your friends are letting you ruin your life.

Bristling and ugly
Your behavior is unpleasant and difficult to be around.

Bursting with fruits falling out from the holes
Friends are trying to offer you comfort, but it's not enough.

Of some pretty bright and bubbly friend
The friend offering you comfort is trying to put on a happy face.

You could need to say comforting things in your ear
You need someone to offer you comfort and kindness.

But oh comely
Reiteration of the opening line, refocusing the listener's attention.

There isn't such one friend that you could find here
There's no one who can truly offer you the comfort you need.

Standing next to me
The singer offers comfort.

He's only my enemy
The negative thoughts and emotions inside your head are your true enemy.

I'll crush him with everything I own
We will fight those negative thoughts and emotions with everything we have.

Say what you want to say
Speak your truth without holding back.

And hang for your hollow ways
Own up to your past mistakes and weaknesses.

Moving your mouth to pull out all your miracles…
Believe in yourself and your potential to create miracles.

For me
The singer is listening, eager to hear what you have to say.

Your father made fetuses
Opening up the singer's personal story.

With flesh licking ladies
Painting a vivid picture of the singer's upbringing.

While you and your mother
Addressing the listener's own upbringing.

Were asleep in the trailer park
Painting a picture of a rough and impoverished upbringing.

Thunderous sparks from the dark of the stadiums
The energy and passion of music and live events.

The music and medicine you needed for comforting
Music was a source of comfort for the singer, and can be for others.

So make all your fat fleshy fingers to moving
Use your hands to create and make things happen.

And pluck all your silly strings
Create and share your art with the world, no matter how unconventional it may be.

And bend all your notes for me
Inspire others with your creativity and uniqueness.

Soft silly music is meaningful magical
Music, even if it's not serious, can be very powerful and inspiring.

The movements were beautiful
The way that music can move people is beautiful and profound.

All in your ovaries
Tying music and art to the deep emotional core of the listener.

All of them milking with green fleshy flowers
Representing the creative power in all of us.

While powerful pistons were sugary sweet machines
A metaphor for the creative process and the hard work put into creating art.

Smelling of semen all under the garden
A glimpse of the darker side of life and creation.

Was all you were needing when you still believed in me
At one point in your life, art and creativity were all you needed to feel fulfilled.

I know they buried her body with others
Returning to the singer's personal story.

Her sister and mother and 500 families
Highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

And will she remember me 50 years later
The singer wonders if he will be remembered after he's gone.

I wished I could save her in some sort of time machine
Expressing regret and longing for the past.

Know all your enemies
Encouraging the listener to recognize their problems and adversaries.

We know who our enemies are
Feeling powerful and in control of oneself and one's situation.

Goldaline my dear
Addressing someone the singer cares about.

We will fold and freeze together
Sticking together no matter what.

Far away from here
Dreaming about the possibilities of escape and freedom.

There is sun and spring and green forever
The hope and potential of the future.

But now we move to feel
Taking action to make things better for ourselves and those we care about.

For ourselves inside some stranger's stomach
Seeking comfort and security wherever we can find it.

Place your body here
The singer is offering comfort and stability.

Let your skin begin to blend itself with mine
Joining together and becoming one with someone else.